Shannan Hatch, SESACÕs vice president of Creative Services gives a hug to Justin Ebach, who has topped the charts with the hit ÒSleep Without YouÓ performed by Brett Young and was named SESACÕs Songwriter of the Year at the 2017 SESAC Music Awards
Sunday Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, TN
Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Cary Barlowe, right, is joined by Billy Currington, after 'It Do't Hurt Like It Used To' was named SESAC Song of the Year at the 2017 SESAC Music Awards
Sunday Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, TN Larry McCormack / The Tennessean

Shannan Hatch, SESACÕs vice president of Creative Services gives a hug to Justin Ebach, who has topped the charts with the hit ÒSleep Without YouÓ performed by Brett Young and was named SESACÕs Songwriter of the Year at the 2017 SESAC Music Awards
Sunday Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, TN
(Photo11: Larry McCormack / The Tennessean)Buy Photo

The Nashville songwriter started off in January by celebrating his first-ever No. 1 country hit, “Sleep Without You.”

On Sunday, he bookended the year by being named Songwriter of the Year at the SESAC Nashville Music Awards.

Performing rights organization SESAC — which collects royalties for songwriters — holds the annual awards show to celebrate its most successful country and Americana songwriters.

“I am so grateful to be part of this community,” Ebach said from the podium. “I have never found better friendships in Nashville than I have in my entire life. I’m excited to wake up and write with you all every morning.”

He saved special recognition for Janine Appleton, head of WordCountry, for being “the first person who ever noticed my country songs.”

“She completely changed my life,” Ebach said.

That’s no exaggeration: the two are now married.

“Sleep Without You” was a chart-topping single for Brett Young, who sings about being "wide awake waitin' on a goodnight kiss" while his significant other is out with her girlfriends. Ebach co-wrote the song with Young and Kelly Archer.

But it was another country hit that took home the award for Song of the Year: "It Don't Hurt Like It Used To."

The Billy Currington single was co-written by SESAC songwriter Cary Barlowe, who strummed a guitar next to Currington as the country star sang the song for the audience.

Buy Photo

Cary Barlowe, right, is joined by Billy Currington, after 'It Do't Hurt Like It Used To' was named SESAC Song of the Year at the 2017 SESAC Music Awards
Sunday Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, TN(Photo11: Larry McCormack / The Tennessean)

Barlowe said he writes a song nearly every day, but from the moment that he, Currington and Shy Carter put "Hurt" together, he had a special feeling about it.

"I just could not get it out of my head. We write good songs, and then if you get lucky, you write a great song."

The night's other big award - Publisher of the Year - went to W.B.M. Music Corp.

Following last month's induction into the Music City Walk of Fame and his "All In For The Gambler" farewell concert, Kenny Rogers received yet another honor at Sunday's show.

The country legend was presented with a SESAC Legacy Award, and saw several more stars pay tribute: Lee Brice, Craig Campbell (who brought the house down with a solo piano rendition of "Lady") and Dustin Lynch. Kim Carnes teamed up with Andy Childs to sing "Don't Fall In Love With a Dreamer," her hit 1980 duet with Rogers.

"You guys are truly my heroes," Rogers told the room full of songwriters. He knew his audience, earning the night's loudest round of applause with this line: "One reason I think people gave me their hits was they knew I wouldn't keep them on hold. I either did them within a week or I gave them back."

"I'm starting to write again. I have nothing else to do," he said with a laugh.

Rogers had a show in New Hampshire the night before, and took a 20-hour, 1200-mile trip on his tour bus to make it back to Nashville for the award.

Lady Antebellum's Hillary Scott has earned her share of SESAC awards over the years, but on Sunday, she was recognized for her work outside of songwriting. She received the SESAC Humanitarian Award for philanthropic work through her band's LadyAID fund.

"It's just really emotional," she said from the podium.

NEWSLETTERS

Get the Eat Drink Nashville newsletter delivered to your inbox

We're sorry, but something went wrong

Eating and drinking, that's what Nashville does! (Well, and music.) Come here for the latest news and trends.

"Maybe it's because I'm bringing two little girls into the world, and I want the world to be better for them. I think all I can really say in my heart right now, in this moment is this award lights a fire in our belly to do more."

Sunday’s awards show was just the beginning of a very busy week for celebrating country music.

Buy Photo

Warner Chappell Music was honored as Publisher of the Year at the 2017 SESAC Music Awards
Sunday Nov. 5, 2017, in Nashville, TN(Photo11: Larry McCormack / The Tennessean)

Fellow performing rights organizations ASCAP and BMI hold their own Nashville awards shows on Monday and Tuesday, respectively, leading up to Wednesday’s CMA Awards at Bridgestone Arena.